TG4's fascinating four part series 'GAA USA' concludes tonight.

Episode 4: An Ré Órga - An Chéad Glún eile - The Next Generation

For almost a hundred and years those involved with Gaelic Games in America have constantly had to adapt to matters outside of their control of the Atlantic in order to ensure its survival relevance among the Irish immigrant community.

In response to tighter immigration laws and an in ability to get the sons and daughters of Irish immigrants to play Gaelic Games, clubs in America looked towards Ireland and began to pay players to pay with clubs in America for weekends or for entire Summers. The clubs with the biggest budgets got the best players and inevitably championships.

Dara Ó Cinnéide was one of the thousands of Irish players who played illegally in America, and he and others were subsequently banned after playing the New York football final of 1996.

In the past couple if years figures of over a $100,000 have been mentioned as realistic sums of money American clubs must fundraise in order to win local championships, considering this practice has been in place since the late 1960's, the amount of money spent by American clubs in their quest for local honors is staggering.

Despite the fact that this practice was known to all members of the GAA in Ireland and in America, this dirty little secret was a heavy burden on clubs and officials both financially and spiritually, and by the late 1990's it became evident that change was needed. Ordinary members of the GAA across America, parents, players and officials made an attempt to redefine how to the games were organised.

A new approach to youth development within the GAA has seen a strong support for the argument that the huge funds spent by clubs on importing short-term players from Ireland should be spent on the development and training of American born children.

In the final episode in the series, Dara finds the GAA in America at a crossroads in its development, he visits clubs GAA clubs across America as those involved have begun the process of extending the playing of Gaelic Games out side the limited pool of Irish immigrants.

GAA USA - Wednesday @ 9.30p.m. on TG4. Repeated Sunday @ 7.15p.m.

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